July 4, 2025
Dear Radiant,
Proverbs makes the startling claim that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21
In other words, words matter….profoundly.
We can build up or tear down with our words. We can encourage and or we can crush. It’s like these words we toss around so flippantly can be seeds of new life or stones that destroy life.
It’s hard for us to understand the gravity of our words in a culture so deeply immersed in words, language, speaking, communication.
We say things like “talk is cheap” or “it’s just noise.”
But the wisdom of Proverbs would have us weigh carefully what leaves our mouths and understand the power in every word uttered.
Perhaps our own nation’s history provides an apt example for the power of words (Happy Independence Day!).
Our independence as a nation began with…words. In artful and power language the Declaration of Independence declared colonial independence from British rule. These words started a revolution and would lead of course to all sorts of meaningful action in order to actualize the declarations made (including war).
But here is the key: words declared and began a whole new reality — one that we are still living in 250 years later.
Friends, words still create things. Words still destroy things. Your words matter.
Happy 4th and see you Sunday at 10AM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
7/6 – Pre-service Prayer. 9:00 at MJC. All welcome.
7/6 – Rad Youth Parents Meeting (after worship service at MJC)
7/10 – Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course 6:30-8PM at ELC
7/25 – Radiant Lake Day at Splash and Dash
8/3 – Domecqs and Tanumas Baby Showers
8/17 – Newcomer’s Pizza at Zach and Jill’s
10/3-10/5 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs Registration Open!
RAD YOUTH PARENTS MEETING – JULY 6
This is a meeting for parents of Rad Youth, especially parents with kids new to youth group (grades 6-12 grade). Ulisses will gather with you at MJC following the service to give a brief overview of Rad Youth, answer questions, and share about upcoming gatherings.
UPCOMING RADIANT YOUTH EVENTS
7/8 – Radiant Youth Summer Nights and Pool Party!Sign up here to receive more information on our Radiant Youth gatherings.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTH SPIRITUALITY COURSE
Peter Scazzero writes “emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is an invitation to flourish in Christ as we consider what is going on “under the surface” in our lives. This is a 8 week course that will meet on Thursdays beginning June 12 and end on July 31 at ELC. Sign up here to sign up. If you’ve completed the course — I’ve done it many times — consider taking it again: there are always new things to discover.
LAKE DAY AT LAKE McCLURE SPLASH AND DASH – JULY 25
On Friday, July 25 — we are going to have some church summer fun. Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park is North America’s Largest Floating, Inflatable Waterpark that provides hours of high-energy FUN & ADVENTURE! It is at Lake McClure, about an hour drive away from Modesto. You will need to buy tickets online for access to the water park (there is a bunch of different options for kids of all ages). If you want to just come and hang you are more than welcome to as well. Bring food, drinks, towels, sunscreen — we are hanging for the day, starting at 11AM. Invite friends!
More information found here
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
October 3-5 at Mission Springs Conference Center.
We spend our lives avoiding the wilderness. Yet it is often in the wilderness that we encounter the Lord’s provision, promises, and presence. We even read that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness. What can we learn from time spent in the wilderness? This special weekend is designed to be a transformative experience, offering countless opportunities to connect with other women and be refreshed.
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
